S 1718 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Revises law concerning prohibition of certain unsolicited checks.

This bill prohibits businesses from sending unsolicited checks that automatically enroll recipients in services, charge fees, or create ongoing obligations when cashed. It directly affects businesses that send such checks, excluding checks sent in response to requests, as account substitutes, or by licensed financial institutions. The key change revises penalties: first violations face up to $500 fines, second violations up to $1,000, and third or subsequent violations escalate to consumer fraud act penalties (up to $20,000 for repeat offenses). The law aims to prevent deceptive practices involving "free check" scams that trap recipients into paying hidden fees.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 9, 2024
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Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Legislator
Party
State
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P
Photo of Paul Moriarty
Paul Moriarty
DDemocratic
NJ
4